Apparatus for transporting cylindrical containers and the like



Patented Nov. 7, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE APPARATUS FOR TRANSPORTING CYLIN- DRICAL CONTAINERS AND THE LIKE v New Jersey Application October 19, 1946, Serial No. 704,518

Our present invention relates broadly to article handling apparatus and more particularly to an improved attachment for power driven vehicles of the so-called lift type by which the plurality of cylindrical gas containers and other similar articles may be handled in groups and transported from one location to another in a convenient and efiicient manner.

An object of the invention is to provide an apparatus or attachment for a power driven vehicle by which a plurality of articles may be simultaneously picked up and transported from one location to another in a new and novel practical manner.-

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for handling a nested plurality of pressure gas bottles or like cylindrical containers, which may be mounted upon a conventionalilift truck and in which the individual gas bottles or cylindrical containers are gripped individually and held in spaced relation so that they may be picked up as a group and transported to a distant point where they are subsequently unloaded in the same grouping arrangement as at the time of pick up.

Another object of the inventionis to provide a novel form of vertically movable recticulated frame having compartments into which individw ual articles to be transported are held by a novel wedging means which becomes operative when the reticulated frame moves upwardly with respect to the articles to be transported and which is releasable only when the articles disposed therein are supported freely of the wedging means. r

Y A further object of the invention is to provide a means for transporting a plurality of like articles from one position to another in which a recticulated horizontally disposed frame having a plurality of compartments and gravity responsive gripping means, is mounted to extend outwardly at the front of a lift truck so that it may be lowered over a nested group of articles which are then engaged by the gripping means so that upon a subsequent raising movement of the reticulated frame the gripping means will become operative and cause the articles to be picked up for transportation to a distant point.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be in part evident to those skilled in the art and in part pointed out in the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein there is shown by way of illustration and not of limitation a preferred embodiment of the invention.

9 Claims. (Cl. 21465) In the drawing;

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a portion of a conventional lift truck with my improved apparatus mounted thereupon,

Figure 2 is a plan View of the device as shown in Figure l of the drawing,

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional View taken along line IIIIII of Figure 2 looking in direction of arrows,

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view taken along line IVIV of Figure 2, and

Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view taken along line V-V of Figure 2 looking in direction of arrows.

For the purpose of describing the invention, we have in Figure 1 of the drawing shown our improved article handling device as mounted upon and carried by a self-propelled vehicle or truck It of the so-called lift type. In this showing instead of the usual load engaging fork or platform, the truck ill is shown as provided with a horizontally disposed reticulated frame H in which there is formed a plurality of interstices or compartments l2 that are each adapted to accommodate a gas bottle or cylindrical container l3 when the reticulated frame I l is lowered from an elevated position and downwardly thereover. In this figure of the drawing a nest or group of twelve gas bottles or cylinders l3 are shown as supported out of contact with the ground by the frame I I so that they may be moved as a group to any desired distant point. In this view the tops of the three nearest gas bottles or com tainers l3 have been broken away to reveal a novel wedging or gripping mechanism, designated broadly by the numeral I4, which we may employ to secure the gas bottles or cylindrical containers is within the reticulated frame II in the manner indicated. The wedging or cylinder gripping mechanism !4 which is to be described in detail hereinafter is so arranged and adapted that it will become operative whenever a gas bottle or cylindrical container !3 is disposed within one or more of the interstices or compartments l2 and the reticulated frame l l is caused to move upwardly with respect thereto as by an operation of the load elevating mechanism of the vehicle or truck l0.

As will also hereinafter appear, each of the interstices or compartments l2 of the reticulated frame ll will contain a wedging element as a part of the gripping mechanism l4, which will operate independently so that the apparatus may be employed to transport one or any number of the gas bottles or cylindrical containers l3 up to its full capacity, and while we have shown the invention as adapted for the transportation of a total of twelve gas bottles or cylindrical containers I3 it will be understood that the apparatus may be designed to transport one or any other desired number.

Upon now referring to Figure 2 of the drawing it will be seen that the reticulated frame II- has three longitudinally extending partitions I5, I6 and I1 and two transversely extending partitions I8 and I9. These partitions arepreferably secured together at their points of intersection and to the outer encircling portion of the frame I I by welding. For rigidly it is also contemplated that these longitudinally and transversely extending partition forming webs I to I9, inclusive, may be provided with angular reinforcing brackets at their ends. At its four corners the reticulated frame II is rounded to conform substantially to the cuvature of a gas bottle or cylindrical container I3 and upon its inside surface at these points we provide a suitable friction surface which in its preferred form may consist of a sheet of rubber, neoprene or leather 23; likewise in a comparable corner ll of each of the remaining interstices or compartments 52 we also provide semi-cylindrical surface forming members ZI which will be likewis provided with a facing of rubber, neoprene, or leather against which an engaging gas bottle or cylindrical container i3 will be held by a wedging element of the cylinder gripping mechanism I4. 'The gripping mechanism I4, as here contemplated, comprises wedge-like members 22 that are arranged, one in each of the interstices or compartments at a point diagonally opposite the semi-cylindrical surfaces 23 and ill above described as disposed in the several compartments I2 of the frame II and for simplicityand convenience of operation these wedging membersZZ are grouped together so that they may be operated in unison by a single operating means. Inthis showing four of these wedging members 32 are grouped at the point where the longitudinally extending. partition I5 and the transversely extending partition I9 intersect and likewise at the point where the longitudinally extending partition 5? and the transversely extending partition I9 intersect there is an'additional group of these wedging members 22. Also at the points along the transversely extending partition I3 where the longitudinally extending partitions I5 and I! intersect there are two further groups of these wedging members 22 which operate within outermost interstices or compartmentsi? of the'reticulated frame I I.

'By now referring to Figures 3 and4 of the drawing it will be seen that the wedging members 22 are independently slidable upon inclined supporting plates'23- so that they may slide up and down and thus move their cylinder engaging surfaces toward and 'awayfrom thediagonally opposite semi-cylindrical surfaces 23 or 2! with which they are individually adapted to cooperate. It will be understood that'each of these wedging members 22 are free to move within certain limits independently of each other and as a means for lifting them into an inoperative position to discharge a load, the two groups of four wedging members 22 are here. shown as suspended from radially slotted lift plates 24 by means of upwardly projecting studs 25 carried thereby. Extending under these lift plates 24 and other lift plates 26 at the outer part of the. r

-. tles' I3.

ticulated frame II, where the groups of two of the wedging members 22 are located, there are two operating beams 21 which are adapted to be raised and lowered as will presently appear. In this particular arrangement the wedging members 22 are held in sliding relation upon the supporting plates 23 by means of pins 28 carried thereby and which move in a slot 29 formed in each of these supporting plates. In order to hold the radially slotted lift plates24 in properly spaced relation and in cooperating relation. with the operating beams 27 there is a transversely extending tie member 30. A similar tie member 3| is also provided between the slotted lift plates 26 which control the remaining wedging members 22.

Reference is now made to Figure 5 of the draw-.

ing wherein it will be noted that the operating beams 21 are more clearlyshown as mounted between the upper ends of two parallel links 32 and 33 so that when these parallel links are rocked to the right or clockwise, as here illustrated, the operating beam, ZTwill be caused to raise and lift the slotted lift controlling plates lever 35 which is connected to a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder 36 by means of a piston rod 31. Thehydraulic cylinder 36 is here shown as having pipes 38-and 39 which will connect with a suitable source of pneumatic or hydraulic fluid under pressure and its operation will be controlledby a valve (not shown) suitably located for convenient operation by the operator of the truck I0.

g It is believed that the operation of our improved apparatus will be clearly understood from the above. However, a brief outline of its operation in transporting a' nest or group of bottles or cylindrical containers'from one position to another will now be set forth. If it is assumed that the reticulated frame II is. secured 'upon the it may be raised and lowered and a nest or gas bottles have been grouped as shown, the operator will first elevate the reticulated frame II so as to clear the tops of the bottles. Next he will maneuver the truck I0 so as to position the reticulated frame II directly .over the nest of bot- Then by a lowering of theelevating mechanism of the truck with the hydraulic cylinder 36 inoperative and the operating beams 21 in their lowermost'positions, as shown in Figure 2, the individual wedging members 22 will slide downwardly along the cylindrical containers I3 with which they engage until the frame II comes to rest. Then upon a, subsequent raising of the reticulated frame II these wedging members 22- will: slide downwardly along their respective angularly disposed supporting plates 23 and thus assume a wedging position against the sides of the engaged gas bottles or cylindrical containers I3 and cause them to be lifted with the reticulated frame II' as the elevating mechanism of the lift-truck I0 operates. Then after transporting the gasbottles or cylindrical containers I3'to the point desired the operator can lower the reticulated frame II until the several gas bottles or cylindrical'containers I3 engage the ground and then by energizing the pneuin order to disclose the invention so that the same can be readily understood, described and illustrated specific devices and arrangements, we desire to have it understood that this invention is not limited to the specific forms disclosed, but may be embodied in other ways that will suggest themselves to persons skilled in the art. It is believed that this invention is new and all such changes as come within the scope of the appended claims are to be therefore considered as part of this invention.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An apparatus for handling and transporting gas bottles and like cylindrical containers, comprising a reticulated horizontally extending frame adapted and arranged to be carried by a load elevating means and raised and lowered over a nested group of cylindrical containers, said reticulated frame having a plurality of closely spaced contiguous compartments of rectangular shape for the individual reception of said cylindrical containers when said frame is lowered thereover, a wedging means in the contiguous corners of said compartments operable upon upward movement of said frame relative to a cylindrical container in any one of said compartments to engage and secure such cylindrical container for transportation with said frame, and a control means common to all of said wedging means operable from a remote point and independently of movement of said frame for rendering said wedging 'means inoperative to'retain a cylindrical container in any of said compartments.

2. An apparatus for handling and transporting gas bottles and like cylindrical containers, comprising a reticulated horizontally extending frame adapted and arranged to be mounted upon the elevating means of a lift truck and to be raised and lowered over one or more upright cylindrical containers, said reticulated frame having a plurality of compartments into each of which an individual cylindrical container may be positioned, a clamping means within each of said compartments'operable upon an upward movement of said reticulated frame to engage and secure a cylindrical container for elevation with said frame, and means operable independently of movement of said frame for rendering said clamping means inoperative only when said cylindrical containers are supported independently of said frame.

3. A cylinder carrying attachment for lift trucks, comprising a horizontally disposed frame of reticulated construction providing a plurality of square compartments for the individual reception of a plurality of cylindrical containers,

, means for mounting said frame in'outwardly extending relation upon the load elevating mechanism of a lift truck, whereby said frame may be raised and lowered over a plurality of cylindrical containers, a cylinder gripping means within each of said compartments and disposed in the contiguous corners thereof operable upon an upward movement of said frame for gripping the cylindrical container therein as said frame is elevated by the lift truck mechanism, and means operable independently of movement of said frame for simultaneously rendering the cylinder gripping means in each of said compartments inoperative when said cylindrical containers are lowered upon a surface and supported freely of said frame.

4. In an article handling attachment for lift trucks'of the character described, the combination of a horizontally disposed frame having vertically disposed partitions extending at right angles to each other and forming openbottom compartments into each of which the upper end of an individual article may extend, a single gravity actuated wedging member disposed in the contiguous corners of each of said compartments adapted to engage with an article disposed therein, said wedging member being adapted upon relative upward movement of said rectangular frame to wedge an engaged article in its particular compartment for lifting and transportation to a distant point, and control means common to all of said wedging members operating from. above said frame for rendering said wedging members inoperative when the articles within said compartments are lowered upon an independent supporting surface.

5. In a cylinder handling attachment for lift trucks of the character described, the combination of a horizontally disposed frame having verticall disposed partitions forming a plurality of open bottom compartments into each of which the upper end of a single cylindrical container may extend, a gravity actuated wedging member disposed in the contiguous corners of each of said compartments, said wedging member being adapted upon relative upward movement of said rectangular frame with respect to a cylindrical container to engage and wedge said cylindrical container in its particular compartment, and means operable from a point remote from said frame for rendering all of said wedging members inoperative after a relative downward movement of said rectangular frame with respect to the cylindrical containers carried thereby '6. In an article transporting device for use with a lift truck, the combination of a frame adapted to be carried by the elevator of a lift truck, said frame having a plurality of square compartments into each of which an individual article of a nested group to be transported may be positioned, an individually operating means disposed within each of said compartments and in the contiguous corners thereof adapted to engage with an article disposed therein and operative upon a relative upward movement between said frame and said articles to grip and hold an article in suspended relation within each of said compartments, and a releasing mechanism common to all of the aforesaid operating means controllable from the lift truck for simultaneously rendering all of said means inoperative when said frame is lowered to position the suspended articles upon a supporting surface, whereby the operator of a lift truck may by raising and lowering said frame pick up a plurality of articles and transport them to a distant point and finally release the articles without leaving the drivers seat.

'7. In an article transporting device for use with a lift truck, the combination of a frame adapted to be carried in a horizontally extending position by the elevator of a lift truck, said frame having intersecting partitions providing a plurality of square compartments into each of arasaaa.

upon a relative movement between said frame and said articles to grip and hold an article in suspended relation within each of said compartments when said frame is moved upwardly, and an operating mechanism common to all of the aforesaid means and operable by a lift truck driver for simultaneously rendering said means. inoperativewhen said frame is lowered with re,- spect to the articles carried thereby when said articles are resting upon a supporting surface, whereby the operator of a lift truck by raising and lowering said frame may pick up a plurality of articles and transport them to a distant point and finally release the same Without leaving the drivers seat. I

8. In a cylindrical container transporting device, the combination of a frameforming band havingpartitions forming a plurality of square compartments into each of which anindividual cylindrical container may be disposed, a gravity actuated wedge disposed in a corner of each of said compartments adapted to engage and independently wedge a container in suspending relation within its compartment when said frame is elevated relative thereto, an operating mechanism common to all of said wedges, said Wedges being disposed in the contiguous corners of the adjacent compartments, and a control means operable from the drivers seat for controlling said operating mechanism, whereby the device may be used with alift truck to pick up a plurality of cylindrical containers and transport them to a distant point and then release the same without requiring the operator to leave the lift truck drivers seat.

9. In a cylindrical container transporting device, the combination of a substantially rectangular frame forming band having intersec ing partitions extending between the sides thereof and forming a plurality of compartments into Number Name 7 Date 1,024,956 Voelker Apr. 30 1912 1,221,400 Wilhelm et a1. Apr. 3, 1917 1,234,041 Knapp July 17, 1917 1,324,500 Francis Dec. 9, 1919 1,929,447 Remde Oct. 10, 1933 1,987,493 Richards Jan. 8, 1935 1,999,491 Vannucci Apr. 30, 1935 2,178,369 Dunham Oct. 31, 1939 2,385,997 Leggett et a1. Oct.-2, 1945' 2,447,300 Williams Aug. 17, 1948 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country 7 Date ea of wh h n i idual nta ne maybe d d, e comp r m nts rm d .by said band and partitions being open at their top and bot- "tom so that said frame forming band may be positioned about a. plurality of cylindrical cop- 'tainers intermediate their ends, a gravity actuated wedge disposed in a corner of each ofsaid compartments adapted upon upward movement "of said frame forming band relative to an engaged container to Wedge the container in suspended relation within its compartment, said wedging ineans being disposed in the adjacent corners of the contiguous compartments, a releasing mechanism common to all of saidwedging means, anda control for said releasing mechanism operable from the drivers seat of a lift truck for simultaneously rendering said wedging means inoperative when said frame is moved downwardly relative to the suspended containers, whereby the operator of a lift truck equipped with the device may by raising and lowering said frame and controlling said wedging means pick up a plurality of cylindrical containers at one point and transport them to a distant point without leaving the drivers seat.

' HOWARD A. REINI-IART.

ARTHUR M. SELVEY.

REFERENCES CITED UNITED STATES PATENTS Germany Dec. '2, 192,0

Certificate of Correction Patent No. 2,528,? 83 November 7 1950 HOWARD A. REINHART ET AL.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows:

In the grant, line 2, address of co-inventor, for Pittsburgh, Pennsyl- Vania, read Pittsburg, California; and in the heading to the printed specification, line 4, for Pittsburgh, Pa. read Pittsburg, Calif;

and that the said Letters Patent should be read as corrected above, so that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Oflice. Signed and sealed this 9th day of January, A. D. 1951.

THOMAS F. MURPHY,

Assistant Oommz'ssz'oner of Patents. 

